http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1085036508309010.xml POWER BROKER Shinn must look from an assist from All-Star point guard Baron Davis in the Hornets' search for a new coach Thursday, May 20, 2004 John DeShazier Lord Byron met the Baron on Monday, and now we wait to see if they will become the royal couple who will lead the New Orleans Hornets. Byron Scott hasn't been offered the job to coach the Hornets. And if an offer is made, Scott has said he'll need a few days to ponder it (or, perhaps, to see what becomes of the Lakers' coaching situation). But it's critical that he, or whoever lands the job, has point guard Baron Davis in his corner, at least as a respectful soldier if not a blinders-wearing follower. That's why Davis, the maximum-money franchise player, was at the Alario Center when Scott came in for his Monday interview. Davis said he was not involved in the talks with Scott, but it's a good bet the star player didn't happen to be there that day to autograph basketballs. It probably would be a good idea for Davis to sit in on all of the interviews. The final decision to identify and hire the right coach for the Hornets rests with majority owner George Shinn and his selection committee. Shinn will sign the paychecks; ultimately, he is the only person who absolutely, positively has to approve of the job being done by his new coach, the Hornets' third in three seasons in New Orleans. But the quality of life in the locker room and, more important, the quality of play on the floor likely will improve in direct relation to Davis' happiness. It only can help for Davis to like and respect the new leader, because as Davis goes, so go the Hornets. And it's only logical for Shinn, who is paying Davis' seven-year, $84 million contract, to consider the wishes of a player in whom the franchise has invested so much money and hope. Drop the disgust, if you have any, over the power shift in the NBA from the coaches to the players. Or hold fast to it, if you prefer to ignore evolution. Neither stance changes the fact that that kind of shift has occurred in every professional sports league, on every team except the few for which the coach earns a player-like salary or also serves as general manager. And even then, players will have a say. After the 2002-03 season in Milwaukee, George Karl, a candidate for the Hornets' vacancy, was pushed out the door despite a $7 million salary and a fair amount of influence in personnel moves. Mostly, it boils down to coaches having credentials to fall back on, which allows for better management of players. And knowing which buttons to push, and when, for each player, clearly defining their roles and establishing rules and punishments that are consistent and apply to everyone. Otherwise, players will tune out a coach, stop believing what he says is effective and question whether he's fit for the job. And those doubts are reflected in their effort level and execution. That's what the Hornets must avoid with this hiring, given the common theme after last season that someone with NBA experience and success, whom Davis and his teammates will respect, needs to be hired. Like it or not, the star player needs to believe. And when he commands the kind of salary and attention that Davis does -- as one of the top 10 or 15 players in the league -- it's imperative that he buy in, because it'll be a lot easier for a coach if his best player doubles as the top seller of his philosophy. Think Magic Johnson and Pat Riley, Michael Jordan (and Shaquille O'Neal) and Phil Jackson, Isiah Thomas and Chuck Daly, Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich, Kevin Garnett and Flip Saunders. Think Davis being invited to attend most, if not all, of the interview sessions with potential Hornets coaches. Because, above all, he has to buy whatever the new coach wants to sell. . . . . . . . John DeShazier can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3410. --

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